Jakarta is not only the capital of Indonesia, but it is also the largest city in the country. It is located along the north western coast of the island of Java and was historically a very important port city. The capital is famous for its nightlife, and is a very popular shopping destination. It is also a place of rich culture and history. Spanning an area of almost seven hundred square kilometres, the sprawling metropolis has a history that extends nearly five hundred years. Anyone interested in exploring that history can step into one of the numerous museums found in the Indonesian capital.
The National Museum is located in Central Jakarta. It is famously known as ‘Gedung Gajah’, the Elephant Building. Inaugurated in 1868, the museum catalogues the country’s rich history, tracing its evolution since the Stone Age. The museum also contains a large coin collection and a series of precious gold and silver sculptures. Also in this part of the capital is the Museum Jenderal Besar DR. Abdul Haris Nasution.
In North part of the city one can find the Jakarta History Museum (known as Museum Fatahillah). The museum’s collection revolves around the city’s history, and artefacts include a Portuguese canon and furniture and other belongings of former governors from when the country was still a colony. Both, the Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics and the Wayang Museum are located in this part of the city and are also worth a visit. The Jakarta Textile Museum is another place of note, and is situated in the capital’s Western part.
Those heading to this cosmopolitan city will find traversing the lively and sometimes chaotic cityscape quite a fascinating adventure. Visitors to the city using the public transport system are also in for quite a memorable experience. When looking for Jakarta accommodation, it is best to find a place that is centrally located and which makes sightseeing easier. Somerset Berlian Jakarta is located in the heart of the city, and guests are only a few minutes away from the city’s best shopping malls and tourist attractions. Staying at a service apartment in Jakarta has never been this convenient.
